Inaugurating the Two-Day KVKs Interface Meet, today, at Directorate of Cold Water Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industry, Govt. of India, Shri Harish Rawat Ji, said that there is need of such meets where it gives platform for the interaction of EXPERTS, progressive farmers, KVKs and other stakeholders to address the major issues in coldwater fisheries sector and appreciated the contribution of the institute in this direction.

Minister facilitated the progressive fish farmers Mr. Krishnanand Gahtori & Shri. Bajani of Uttarakhand, Mr. Maukai Aajung of Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Harish Rawat Ji released a Hindi magazine HIM JYOTI and Bulletin on Nutrient profiling of coldwater fish species. He advised the director; Dr. P.C. Mahanta, to extend the technologies of the institute like poly tank fish culture in the high altitude regions and to give more emphasis to build more women organized societies in agriculture. He stressed at least 1.5 to 2% of GDP should be invested in research to develop new technologies to increase the productivity and there by increasing the purchasing power of the farmers.

More than 200 delegates including the Directors of different ICAR institutes, scientists, KVKs and progressive farmers are participating in this two days INTERFACE MEETING which started with the welcome address by Dr. P.C. Mahanta, Director, DCFR.

Dr. K.D. Kokate, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR stressed about the resources available in the Himalayan belt and desired exploitation of the resources in effective manner to increase the productivity of the coldwater fish sector.

Dr. B. Meenakumari, DDG (Fy.), ICAR, gave a brief introduction of the institute and the major issues to be discussed in the Interface meeting.